International Council on Active Aging
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Press release
International Council on Active Aging (ICAA) Will Work with More Than 5,600 Member Facilities to Deploy Philips HeartStart Defibrillators
(Vancouver, BC, September 25, 2006) ICAA and Philips Medical Systems will collaborate to help protect the health and safety of the active aging population in the event of sudden cardiac arrest
Vancouver, British Columbia – The International Council on Active Aging (ICAA) announced today a collaboration with Philips Medical Systems to help ensure the safety of the mature population. This agreement will aid ICAA to work with its member facilities such as retirement communities, senior centers and fitness clubs across the U.S. and in Canada in deploying Philips HeartStart Defibrillators.
With the steady increase of the aging population in the United States and Canada, there also has been a significant increase in physical activity in individuals over age 65. A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine showed that a person is at slightly greater risk for experiencing sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) during and after vigorous exercise1. Deploying defibrillators in ICAA centers will help ensure the safety of millions of older members across the U.S. and Canada who are using the centers to keep themselves young at heart.
Defibrillators provide treatment for SCA, a leading cause of death in the U.S., claiming more than 340,000 lives each year. Today, fewer than five percent of sudden cardiac arrest victims survive, largely because defibrillators do not get to them in time. For each minute that passes before defibrillation therapy reaches a victim, the chances for survival decreases by about 10 percent. After 10 minutes, few attempts at resuscitation are successful.
“The mission of the ICAA is to change society’s perceptions of aging and to improve the quality of life for older adults,” said Colin Milner, chief executive officer of ICAA. “We want to help these individuals stay active and healthy. After significant industry research we decided to work with Philips, because they provide the most reliable AEDs and are committed to providing ICAA members with the support necessary to deploy a successful and effective AED program.”
Active aging is defined by the World Health Organization (WHO) as “the process of optimizing opportunities for health, participation and security in order to enhance the quality of life as people age.” WHO explains that active aging allows people to participate in society as fully as possible according to their desires and needs. For example, a person with a chronic illness can still participate and live actively in other areas of life.
“Philips is honored that the ICAA has chosen to educate its membership about the importance of early defibrillation,” said Michael Miller, senior vice president, Cardiac Care, for Philips Medical Systems. “HeartStart Defibrillators are reliable and easy to use, making them an ideal device for the ICAA’s member organizations in the event of a sudden cardiac emergency.”
This initiative is one of many activities kicking off the ICAA’s Active Aging Week, an annual event that focuses on introducing older adults to the opportunity to experience physical activity and exercise in a safe, friendly and fun environment.
About ICAA
The ICAA is the world's largest membership association dedicated to changing the way we age by uniting and working with professionals in the retirement, assisted living, recreation, fitness, rehabilitation and wellness fields. We connect a community of like-minded professionals who share the goals of changing society's perceptions of aging and improving the quality of life for Baby Boomers and older adults within the six dimensions of wellness (emotional, vocational, physical, spiritual, intellectual, social).
Reference:
1. Albert CM et al. “Triggering of Sudden Death from Cardiac Causes by Vigorous Exertion.” New England Journal of Medicine 1999; 343:1355-1361.
Contact:
Colin Milner, CEO
International Council on Active Aging
Toll-free: 1-866-335-9777 (North America only)
Telephone: 604-734-4466
Cell: 604-763-4595
E-mail: colinmilner@icaa.cc
For further information, please contact:
Steve Kelly, Senior Public Relations Manager
Tel: +1 425-487-7479
E-mail: steve.kelly@philips.com
Ian Race, Public Relations Manager
Tel: +1 978-659-4624
E-mail: ian.race@philips.com
About Royal Philips Electronics
Royal Philips Electronics of the Netherlands (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHI) is a global leader in healthcare, lifestyle and technology, delivering products, services and solutions through the brand promise of “sense and simplicity.” Headquartered in the Netherlands, Philips employs approximately 126,000 employees in more than 60 countries worldwide. With sales of $37.7 billion (EUR 30.4 billion) in 2005, the company is a market leader in medical diagnostic imaging and patient monitoring systems, energy efficient lighting solutions, personal care and home appliances, as well as consumer electronics. News from Philips is located at www.philips.com/newscenter.
